Lecture 21

The Ecosystem:
An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life.
This Act has also given operational definitions of ecosystems. Previously, such definitions did not exist in the legal regime. This act has given the Director General of the department of environment all the authority needed to deal with matters connected with protection of the environment. If the Director General is convinced that any particular activities is causing damage to the ecosystems either directly or indirectly, he may order or direct the concerned person to take corrective measures for it.
Environmental Clearance Certificate:
The environment clearance certificate is mandatory for the establishment of any kind of factories. In Bangladesh, the department of environment has vested with the authority to issue the Environment Clearance Certificates for the industrial units and projects.
Environment, is a term that encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. Environment plays an important role in the healthy living of human beings. Humanity’s entire life support system depends on the well-being of all the environmental factors. But, there is drastic environmental change due to industrialization and excessive pollution. So, we must ensure sustainable development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Keeping this in mind, Ministry of Environment and Forest of Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh made few rules which is known as Environment Conservation rules which classifies industries in four categories in consideration of their site and impact on the environment. All of existing industrial units and projects and proposed units and projects must get Environment clearance certificate to continue business in Bangladesh.
There are so many advantages of having that certificate like,
It meets the legal obligation
Stack holders get confidence to invest
Nearby people get relief from pollution
Company gets recognition as Environment Friendly entity
Ensure and promote sustainable development
All industrial sites are categorized into one of the following with respect to their project and impact on the environment:
Green
Orange A
Orange B
Red
Environmental Clearance Certificate shall be issued to all existing industrial units and projects and to all proposed industrial units and projects falling in the Green Category.
For industrial units and projects falling in the Orange – A, Orange –B and Red categories, firstly a Location Clearance Certificate and thereafter an Environmental Clearance Certificate shall be issued. Provided that the Director General may, without issuing a Location Clearance Certificate at the first instance, directly issue Environmental Clearance Certificate if he, on the application of an industrial unit or project, considers it appropriate to issue such certificate to the industrial unit or project.
The entrepreneur of the concerned industrial unit or project shall apply to the concerned Divisional Officer of the Department in a certain Form along with appropriate fees as specified in Schedule given.